TRADERS have joined forces with Castle Point Council to stop travellers moving on to a piece of land.

Up to 17 caravans were cleared off the field next to Labworth car park, on Canvey, last August after a weekend of disruption.

The council and owners of the Leisure Island Fun Park have joined together to put in 280 concrete bollards around the field, in Eastern Esplanade, to stop travellers parking on the field.

The bollards are believed to have cost £16,000.

Scott Petty, manager at Leisure Island Fun Park, said: “The only trouble we’ve ever had was the travellers last year, but they can’t get on to the field now.

“By protecting the Labworth, we’re protecting the island.

“We’ve had the travellers two years in a row. The first year there were nine of them and the next there were 21.

“We lost a lot of trade that weekend and it was a nightmare.

“When they turned up, there was a knock-on effect and we are hoping people will see what we’ve done and that we’ve taken measures inside the park as well. With all the cameras, we’ve beefed it right up.”

A series of mass brawls, and a report of a man carrying a gun, prompted a huge police presence on Canvey seafront on August 30 and 31 last year.

Traders said they would be willing to pay for barriers to prevent the situation happening again and have been working on the plan with Castle Point Council for the last ten months.

Height barriers have also been installed at the entrance to the car park, and another at the entrance to the field, allowing only cars through.

Mr Petty said: “When they turned up the second time, I think Canvey was on their list of placed to use.

“If we had hadn’t done this, they would have come back every year.

“It’s the perfect site for them.

It’s a big flat area next to the seafront. Hopefully, they will see it is locked down and they physically can’t get on.”

The Oysterfleet Hotel shut down on the Saturday night last August over fears for public safety and residents volunteered to clean up the rubbish left by the travellers, who then went on to cause havoc in Southend.

Essex Police say they support the scheme to protect the area.

Insp Fergus Caulfield said: “Anything that can prevent motor vehicles and unlawful encampments going on to green spaces is of benefit. I support that.”